Crop harvester



April 6, 1965 Original Filed Sept. 9. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 o n n o L3 rn g;

INVEVTOR. ARTHUR L. HJBBARD ATTORNEY April 6, 1965 A. L. HUBBARD3,176,451

CROP HARVESTER Original Filed Sept. 9. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.ARTHUR L. HUBBARD ATTORNEY April 6, 1965 A. L. HUBBARD 3,176,451

CROP HARVESTER Original Filed Sept. 9, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

INV EN TOR. ARTHUR L. HUBBARD April 1965 A. HUBBARD 3,176,451

CROP HARVES TER Original Filed Sept. 9, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR.ARTHUR L. HUBBARD ATTORNE in a cotton harvester.

the cotton from the plants. 'ments are carried on drums which rotateabout upright United States Patent 0 3,176,451 CROP HARVESTER Arthur L.Hubbard, Des Moines, Iowa, assignor to Deere 8: Company, Moline, 111., acorporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 54,895,Sept. 9, 1960. This application Sept. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 226,476 26Claims. (Cl. 56-44) This invention relates to a crop harvester and moreparticularlyto the arrangement of the various elements composing theharvester in relation to the main supporting frame .of the harvester.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 54,895, filed September9, 1960 and now abandoned. Con'ventionally the main supporting structurefor a cotton harvester is composed of .an elongated main frame supportedby a pair of forwardly positioned and trans- -vesters advances.Supported in the housing structure are picking elements which extendlaterally into the passageways to pick the cotton from the plants. Alsoprovided in the housing structures are cotton removing means usually inthe form of doffing mechanisms and a suction type discharge conveyorwhich operates to remove cotton from the cotton picking elements andconvey the cotton to a cotton receptacle, also carried by the mainsupporting frame. It has been conventional, therefore, in the past toprovide picking mechanism for simultaneously picking two rows of cottonwhich is generally contained between the inner faces of the transverselyspaced traction wheels.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a crop harvester,which for purposes of illustration will be a cotton harvester, whichwill simultaneously pick crops from four adjacent rows, two rows ofwhich are between the inner faces of the traction wheels and two ofwhich are outwardly of and adjacent the outer faces of the tractionwheels. While the invention is shown and described as utilized in acotton harvester, many of the principles of the invention may beutilized in other types of harvesters. Therefore, the invention, unlessspecifically provided is not necessarily intended to be limited to useIt is also proposed to provide transversely projecting framework to bemounted rear -wardly of the main traction wheels and on the main willgather and harvest the rows of plants outwardly respectively of-theforward or main traction wheels.

'For harvesting each row of plants, there is conventionally providedpicking elements in the housing struc tures which extend laterally intothe passageways to pick Normally the picking eleaxes on opposite sidesof the plant passage. The drum -which first encounters the cotton plantis normally positioned forwardly of the drum on the opposite sides ofthe passageand generally contains more picking elements and isgenerally, therefore, considered the high capacity picking unit since itdoes remove the majority of the cotton from the plants. The drum on theopposite side 3,175,451 Patented Apr. 6, 1965 of the passage isconsidered the low capacity drum since it will pick only the remainingcotton on the plants. Generally, therefore, the high-capacity drum isheavier and the portionof the picker housing which contains thehigh-capacity drum is heavier and larger than the housing structure onthe opposite side of the passage. It is therefore important from aweight distribution standpoint to adequately balance the weights of thevarious picking mechanisms relative to the main frame of the harvester.It therefore follows and it is a further main purpose of the presentinvention to adequately position the high capacity or heavier pickingdrums in the outboard harvesting units inwardly relative to the mainframe and to position the lighter low-capacity harvesting unitsoutwardly relative to the high capacity units.

It is proposed to provide transverse rockshafts on the main frame withforwardly projecting lift arms mounted thereon which are connected toand operate to raise and lower the harvesting units inboard of thetraction wheels. It is further proposed to provide rockshafts on thetransversely extending framework with lift arms extending to theoutboard and rearwardly positioned harvesting mechanisms. Linkageextending between the rockshafts supporting the forward and inboardmechanisms and the rockshafts supporting the outboard and rearwardharvesting mechanisms will effect raising and lowering of the harvestingmechanisms in unison. Since it is deemed desirable to individually raisethe harvesting mechanism on the rightand left-hand of the fore-and-aftcenter line of the main frame, the connecting linkage will be soprovided that the inner and outer harvesting mechanisms on theright-hand side and the inner and outer harvesting mechanisms of theleft-hand side of the main frame will be raised and lowered in unison.

It is further proposed as part of the present invention to provideadequate conveying means for moving the harvested cotton to thereceptacle. It is therefore proposed to provide for four suction fanswhich will draw the cotton from the respective harvesting mechanism andtransfer the cotton to an enlarged cotton receptacle.

Other objects and purposes of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art as the nature of the invention is betterunderstood from .the following disclosure and as shown in the.accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of ,the cotton harvester as viewed from thefront and .right side of the harvester.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the harvester with the cotton receptacle andits associated suction conveying system not being shown.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but having portions of the harvestingunits removed for purposes of showing internal mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the harvester shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, butshowing only the rear outboard harvesting units and theirassociatedmounting and driving structure.

Referring now to the drawings, there is provided a main mobile framecomposed of a fore-and-aft extending elongated body 10 supported at itsforward end by transverse axle structure 11 including a centrallylocated .differentialdrive 12 having a rearwardly extending powertake-off shaft 13. The transverse axle structure 11 has rightandleft-hand support or traction wheels 14,.15 respectively at oppositeends to carry the machine forwardly over the row-planted field. Therightand lefthand wheels 14, 15 are also disposed to run between pairsof plant rows to the right and left respectively of the foreand-aftcenter line of the main frame Iii. The traction wheels 14, 15 also runbetween rows of plants and consequently relative to each of the wheels14, 15 there will be a row of plants closely adacent to its innerfaceand closely adjacent to its outer face. Themain mobile frame or body 19is supported at its rear end by a single r cycle type support. purposesof guiding the mobile frame 19 over a field. The main frame or bodysupports a platform Zllby means of an upright structure, indicated inits entirely;

by the reference numeral 21.; The platform 24 carries wheel16 making theentire frame 10' supported on a fir-1' The wheel 16'may be turned for anoper'ators station indicated-by the seat 22, which faces steeringmechanism 23. Other control levers and mechanism for the harvester arepositioned adjacent the operators station.- Themobile-frame hasahydraulic system of the conventional type utilized forvarious/functions such as power raising and lowering the harvestingmechanisms. I t

Supported on the platform Zllrearwardlyof the seat 22 are fourtransversely alined and transversely spaced 7 apart blower housings,three being shown at'25, 26, 27.

The blower housings are provided with discharge ducts shown at 28, 29,3t and 31 which operate to blow cotton tures such as US. Patent.2,660,852*issued to Mr. L. A.

Paradise; U.S.' Patents 2,719,394, and 2,803,938issued to Mr.'Ihomannsand U;S.Patent 2,912,285 issued to Mr. AVL. Hubbard, i V VProvided adjacent the rear, end'of the main frameor body It) is;transverse framework indicated-inflits entirety by the reference numeral'75 which projects transversely and-to opposite sides of themain frame10; The transverse framework includes a central inverted U-shapedbeam 76which extends over the body 10 and has depending leg portions fixedattheir lowerxend to'the body 10, suitable pads 77,- 78 being provided tomaintain proper spacinto a receptacle indicated in its entirety bythereference I 'nurneral32. 'Each of the blower housings are provided witha pair of oppositely disposed intake inlets which, as

will later become apparent, operate as suction inlets for I the blowers.

Positioned forwardly of the axle structure ill-are righting of thelegportions relative to the body 10; ,The U- shaped beam 76 maybe'bolted or otherwise fixed torthe main frame'10.* Projecting outwardlyfromthe leg portions ofthe U-shaped beam '76 are transversely extend- Iing horizontal beam members 179,80 extending to the right and to theleft of the main frame or body 10. The

'. beams 79, 89 extend transverselybeyond the transverse andleft-handharvesting units35, 36. :The harvesting -i1nits 35, 36arecomposed! of housing structures 37, 38

respectively defining fore-and-aft extending'plant passageways 39,d'respectively which receive the rows of plants inwardly or inboard fotthe right-randileft-hand Wheels 14, 15. The housing structures 37, 38amsupported on the mainframe or bodyfitlbymeans of transverse rockshafts41, 42 axially alined and-positioned adjacent 'to and slightly forwardlyof the axlestrueture 11. The rockshafts 41, 4 2 are supported 'onthemainframe-16 byj means of supporting framework .43. j Forwardly project inglift arms 45, 4e and 47, 48am fixed to therockshafts' 41, 42- and areconnected to the housings 3'7, 3 8.. They inner lift arms 46,47, arearched and are .connecte'djto hydraulic cylinders 49,: 5%. V Thecylinders 49, 50 are controlled from the operators station and operateto raise and lower the rightand left-hand harvesting units 35,736.Theshydraulic system provided in the harvester is such that thecylinders 49, 5%) may operate individually so that the rightor left-handunits 35, 36 may be raised independently of one another. The harvestingunits-35,36 are provided with picking Lspindle drums 55,56 respectivelypositioned outwardly relative tothe plant passages'39, ill-and generallyfor- Wardly of the ,rightand left-hand wheels 14, 15. Provided inwardlyof the plant passages :39, are spindle drums 57, 58 disposed rear'wardly,of therdrums'55, 5s.

a V Positioned expanse'of the right-and left-hand traction wheels 14,15; Downwardlyland outwardly, extending trusses; 81,

82 extend from the upper end of the U-shaped beam 76 to the vouter endsof the transverse beams '79, 8t) and effect truss or reinforcing supportfor the-outer ends of the A pair of transverse rockshafts 85; 86 aresupported on the beams 7180' suitable journal blocks 'at 87, 88 beingprovided on the beams,79,;8tl to journal the respectivev rockshafts 85,8d, The roc'kshafts 85, '86 also extend,

outwardly'beyond the'transve'rse expanse of the wheels.

outboard harvesting row units 90, 911,, respectively. ,The units 98, slhaveh'ousing' structures, 92, 93 which define Hfo're-and-aft "extendi'ngplant passages 94,:95 disposed to receive the'rows of plants outwardlyof the rightand leffihandtraction wheels' 14,. 15., The housing units92', 93 aresupportcd on the rockshafts 85,8d-respectively by-meansfofforwardly extending lift arms- 96, 97 and '93, 9% respectively.Depending supportjheamslllS, 106 are fixed to'the; outer ends of thetransverse horizontal beams 79,]8iljand carry attheir lower endsforwardly extending support braces 19'], 108 which are anchored to vthelower ends ofthe housing units 91 91 -Thereis provision to raiseandlower the harvesting Referring sp ecifically to FIG. 3, it willfbenoted" that the forward drums 55, 56 have considerable more'spindlesthan therear drums 57, 58 and consequently maybe convunits 35, 9910 theright of the fore-a'nd-aft center line ofthe main frame '10 in unison"and independently of the sidered high-capacity units wherea'sthe reardrums '57, r

58 may be considered low capacity units. Also, as' may-berr'eadily'ascertained,jthe forward units 55,,56'arerp n siderablyheavier and require more areaforioperation than the rear units 57, 58.Adjacent the spindle drums 55, 56, 57, 58 there are providedconventional type .Such is'provided-byflinkage means extending from thelift I ,arm's 45, 48-and the rockshafts 8 5,- 8;6.1' The linkages arecomposed of connecting rodslltklll pivotally connected at their-forwardends" to respective liftarms45, 48'and at doffing means, here indicatedin their entireties by the;

drums. Also, asis conventionahsuction openings 63, 64, 615 and 66 areprovided to pass cotton from the'respective gharvesting drums ariddoifersinto the suction'ducts 67, 6 8, 69 and respectively which in turnpassthe, cotton through the blowers 26 and 27 and from thence into thereceptacle 32.

7 As may be seen from viewing the drawings the outer}harvestingmechanisms which includethe drums "55, 56;

referencenunierals'59, 6t 61 and 62 respectively, which I operatetoremove the 'co'tton'from the spindles of the r unitsjie, 91 to theleft-of; the -fore-an-aft center line.

Conversely,;thereis provision to do 'th'ejsame operation on the units36,91 without operating the opposite units 35, 90.

' their rear ends to, rock arms 11 2, 113. which are'jfixed :to therocksh'afts 85, 86 respectively," Consequently-upon "operating the:hydraulic cylinders 49, 50 to raise and lower the inboard harvestingunits 3.5, 36 the rear .units' ;9 tl,'9 11will automatically r'espondtoraise. and .lower sub stantially the same amount. a

V a .3 The outboard"harvesting units 90,ll 1 :are;

forwardlydisposed highscapacity spindle drums 11 5,1 16

their doffers59, 60; and suction chambers as indicated by the outlets63,6 are at least partially in direct leading relation to the wheels 14, 15respectively.

respectively positioned [inwardly of, the plantpassages. 94,

. 9'5'and generally behindthe wheels- 5 1 4, 15." As previouslymentionedfrelativeito the front central units '35, 36 thehigh-capacityunitsllfi, *are considerably heavier'jand consequently forgeneraljbalance on the main frame 10' 'it is desired to ,place them asclosely inwardly to the frame 7 v V forwardly of the transversehorizonal beams '79, stijand therespective'rockshafts 85, 86am a ,pairoft 'as possible. Also, since the high-capacity units generally requireconsiderable space, such is available rearwardly'of the traction wheels14, and since the rows of plants passing inboard of the wheels 14, 15have been previously harvested by the forward units 35, 36 slightcontact by the inner portions of the units 96, 91 will not knockordislodge cotton bolls from the plants. Low capacity harvesting unitsor drums 117, 118 are positioned in the housings 92, 93 outwardly of theplant pas sages 94, 95. The narrow expanse of the harvesting units 117,118 and their relative lightweight offers the advantages of notcontacting the unharvested rows outwardly of the harvester and offersbetter balance since the lighter mechanisms are spaced outwardly fromthe frame body tively. The suction openings 123-126 feed material intosuction ducts, two of which are shown for the outer righthand harvestingunit M9 at 159, 131, which feed the cotton through the outer right-handblower and from thence into the cotton receptacle 32. The conveyance ofmaterial from the outer left-hand harvesting unit 91, not

shown, is rather obvious.

As may be seen from viewing the drawings, at least part of the rearinner harvesting mechanlsms which include the drums 115, 116; doffers119, 126'; and blower or suction chambers as indicated by outlets 123,124 are in direct trailing relation to the respective wheels 14, 15.

The drives for the harvesting units 35, 36 and 9%, 91 are shown onlygenerally and more or less in schematic form. The entire power foroperating the harvesting mechanism is received from the power take-offshaft 13 which has a pair of belt pulleys 114i), 141 mounted thereon.The pulley 140 operates the belt drive 14?; extending upwardly to drivea forwardly directed drive shaft mechanism 143. The other pulley 141operates a belt drive 144 extending upwardly to drive a forwardlydirected driveshaft assembly 145. Upper sheaves 142a, 144a of t the beltdrives 142, 144 are double sheaves. The sheave 142a drives a second beltdrive 148 extending outwardly to a sheave 149 which in turn drives arearwardly directed driveshaft assembly 150. A similar arrangement isprovided for the outer left-hand unit 90 and includes a belt drive 151extending outwardly to drive a pulley 152 which drives a rearwardlyextending driveshaft 153. Suitable transmissionscontained in housings154, 155, 156 and 157 I are provided on the terminal ends of thedriveshaft assemblies 143, 144, 150 and 153 and operate in conventionalmanner to drive the harvest mechanism contained in the harvesting units.A'transverse beam 166 extends across the harvester above and justrearwardly of the axle structure 11. The sheaves 142a, 144a, 14$, and152 are supported on the beam 16% by suitable sheave supports 161, M2,1&3, 164 welded or otherwise fixed to the beam.

. While only one form of the invention has been shown it should berecognized that other forms and variations laterally spaced wheelscarried on the axle structure so 'as to embrace a pair of rows; a pairof harvesting units supported on the frame forwardly of the wheels and"having fore-and-aft extending plant passages for accommodating the rowsof plants between the wheels, each of the harvesting units havingharvesting mechanism inboard and outboard of a respective row with theoutboard mechanisms being at least partially in direct leading relationwith the respective wheels; and a pair of harvesting units supported onopposite sides of the frame rearwardly of the wheels and havingfore-and-aft extending plant passages for accommodatinga row of plantsoutboard of the respective wheels, each of the latter-harvesting unitshaving harvesting mechanisms inboard and outboard of its plant passagewith the latter inboard harvesting mecha nisrns being at least partiallyin direct trailing relation with the wheels.

2. A cotton harvester for use in a field in which cotton is grown inparallel rows comprising: amain fore-and-aft extending frame includingtransverse axle structure; laterally spaced wheels having inner andouter faces carried on the axle structure so as to embrace a pair ofrows; a first pair of harvesting units supported on the frame -hav.- ingfore-and-aft extending plant passages for accommodating the rows ofplants between the wheels, each of the harvesting units havingharvesting mechanism inboard and outboard of a respective row with theoutboard mechanisms being atleast partially outboard of the inner facesof the respective wheels; and a second pair of harvesting unitssupported on opposite sides of the frame having fore-and-aft extendingplant passages for accommodating a row of plants outboard of therespective wheels, each of the latter harvesting units having harvestingmechanisms inboard and outboard of its plant passage with the latterinboard harvesting mechanisms'being at least partially inboard of theouter faces of the traction wheels, the second pair of harvesting unitsbeing longitudinally on opposite sides of the wheels than the firstpair.

3. A cotton harvester for use in a field in which cotton is grown inparallel rows comprising: a main fore-and-aft extending frame includingtransverse axle structure; laterally spaced wheels having inner andouter faces carried on the axle structure so as to embrace a pair ofrows; a first pair of harvesting units supported on the frame havingfore-and-aft extending plant passages for accommodating the rows ofplants between the wheels, each of the harvesting units havingharvesting mechanism inboard and outboard of a respective-row with theoutboard mechanisms being at least partially outboard of the inner facesof the respective wheels; and a second pair of harvesting unitssupported on opposite sides of the frame having fore-and-aft extendingplant passages for accommodating a row of plants outboard of therespective wheels, each of the latter harvesting units having harvestingmechanisms inboard and outboard of its plant passage with the latterinboard harvesting mechanisms being at least partially inboard of theouter faces of the traction wheels, the second pair of harvesting .unitsbeing longitudinally on opposite sides of the wheels, than the firstpairpand means between the frame and units for raising and lowering theunits.

4. The invention defined in claim 3 further characterized by meansinterconnecting the individual means for raising and lowering the unitswhereby all units may be raised and lowered in unison.

5. A cotton harvester for use in a field'in which cotton is grown inparallel rows comprising: a main -fore-and-aft extending frame includingtransverse axle structuretlaterally spaced wheels carried on the axlestructure so as to embrace a pair of rows; first and second pairs ofharvesting units supported on the frame forwardly and rear wardlyrespectively of the axle structure, one pair having fore-and-aftextendingplant passages foraccommodating the rows of plants between theWheels, and theother pair having fore-and-aft extending plant passagesfor accom modating a row of plants outboard of the respective wheels,each of the harvesting units having harvesting mechanisms inboard andoutboard of its respective passage with the outboard harvestingmechanisms ofsaid one pair being at least partially in longitudinalalinement with the traction wheels and overlapping in a transversedimension the inner harvesting mechanisms "of said other pair ofharvesting units.

6. A cotton harvester foruse ina 7 is grown in parallel rows comprising:a main fore-andaft extending frame including transverse axle structure;laterally'spaced- Wheels carried on the axle structure so as to embracea pair of rows; first and-secondpairs of 7 harvesting'units supported onthe frame forwardly and portedin itshousing structure, outwardly of thelatter s a N f passage; fieldin which cotton "9 Cotton harvejsting meansforus'eon a vehicle in a field in'which 'cotton is'pla'nted iriparallelrows, wherein rearwardlyr'espectively of; the axle structure, one pairhaving fore-and-aft exte nding plant passage s for acco'rnmodating therowsrof plants between the wheels, and the other pair'havingfore-and-aftextending plantipassage's such vehicle has a'longitudinally, extending main mobile said rightand'left-hand wheelsbeing spaced apart so as to run between rows inwardly ofand rowsoutwardly of the re'spective wheels, said harvesting means comprising:"a' pair of forward cotton harvesting units supported on the frameforwardly of the axle for harvesting the rows of cotton plantsfinwardlyof and within the confines of thetrfaction wheels, each of saidunits-having housing structure defining afore and-aft' extending plantpassage inboard. of a respective wheel for receiving successive 7 plantsof the respectiverow as the harvester moves forrnent with-the tractionwheels: and the inner harvesting wardly respectively of the axlestructure, one having forei wardly and further having harvestingmechanisms contained in the housing structure on opposite'sides of thepassage; transverselyiextending franieworksupported on 'the' main framerearward of the wheels and projecting transversely to opposite sides: ofthe frame; and. a'pair'of rear cotto'n harvesting units supported on thetransversely and-aft extending palntipassages for accommodatingthe rowsof plants between the wheels, and the other having fore-and-aftextending plant passages for accommodating rows of plants outboard ofthe respective wheels, each of p 8; Cotton harvesting means for.useto'na vehicle in a extending frameworlr rearward of the wheels forharvestjingthe' rows of plants outwardly of the respective tractionwheels, each of saidrear harvesting units having a 'housing structuredefininga fore-and-aft extending passage outboard of a respective wheelfor successivelyrec eivin g -the plants in a row as the-harvestervadvances and a high v ca pacity harvesting mechanism supportedf in thehousing structure inwardly of the're'spective row and behind the irespective tractionwheehand a low capacity harvesting smechanism-supported in its housing structure outwardly 'of therespective 'row.; 7 e

10. Cotton harvesting means for use on avehicle in a field in whichcotto'nis planted in parallelrow's, wherein {such vehicle has alongitudinally extending'main mobile" field inwhichco'ttonis plantedinparallel rows, wherein to run between row-s inwardly of and rowsoutwardly of the respective wheels, said harvesting means comprising:

'a pair of forward cotton harvesting units supported on the frameforwardly of the axle for harvesting the rows of cotton plants inwardlyof and within the'confines "of the'wheels, each of said units havinghousing structure defining a fore-and aft extending plant passageinwardly;

frame'includingi an axle at its forward'end with rightand left-handwheels respectively, at oppositeends of the 7 p axle, "said rightandleft-hand'wheelsfbeing spaced apart 'so asto runbetween rows inwardly ofand rows outwardly of the respectivexwheels, 'said harvesting meanscornprising: a pair of forward cotton harvesting units supported on theframe forwardly of the axle for harvesting inboard-of the wheel as theharvester moves forwardly and harvesting mechanisms contained in thehousing structure on opposite sides of the respective row of plants;

, transverselyextending frameworksupported on the main of a wheel for.receiving successive plants of a respective mechanism, said-highcapacity harvestingmechanism ex- 'row:;asthc harvester moves forwardlyand high capacity r harvesting mechanism containedvinthe housingstructure r outwardly 'of and-to the sideof the respective passage andrelatively low 'icapac'ity harvestingmechanis'rn carried frame rearwardof thewheels andprojectingtransversely to opposite sides "of the frame;and a pair of rear cotton harvesting uuitsrearward: of the wheel-ssupported on the transversely extending framework for harvesting therows ofplants,cu1ti vard1y of the respective wheels, each of saidtending at least partially forward'of the respective wheel; i r

transversely-extending framework'suppor-tedon the main frame rearwardly'of 1 the wheels and projecting transversely'to opposite sides of .the,frame'beyond the transverse expanse of the/ traction \vheels;,' and apair of rearcotton harvesting units supported on the transversely extending framework for harvesting the rqwsof pla'ntsout wardly of therespective wheels, each of said rear harvest- ;fling units. having ahousing structure defining a fore-and aft extending passage'outboard ofa respectivewheelfor 1 successivelyreceiving theplants in a rowoutboardof the -'rearlharvesting-units Ihaving a housing structure defining afore-and-aft extendin gfpassage outboard of a wheel for successivelyreceiving the'plants in a row outboard ofthe Wheel astheharvesteradvances and harvesting mecha nismssupported'in the housingstructureinwardly of and r outrvardly oi therespective passage with portions ofthe inner of saidharvestingflrnechanisms being alined longitudinally ofand disposed behindjtherespective traction acterized iby .a-cottonreceptacle 'mounted on the, main wheel as the harvester advances, and ahigh capacity hara vesting 'mechanis-rrisupported in the'housingstructure in- F 'wardly of thellaitter passage and behind the respective'wheel, and :a low capacity harvesting niechanism' sup frame; andsuction conveying means extending from the housing structures to thereceptacle, the. latter 'means including aseries of four fansjwith fanducts extending from outlets thereof-to the receptacle and each-of thefans hav- I ing a pair of, suction inlets withsuction ducts extendingQfrpnr the; inlets to th e' jrespeetive housing; structures l forconveying the harvested cotton from the area of the harvesting mechanismto the receptacle.

12.Cotton harvesting means for use on a vehicle in a field in whichcotton is planted in parallel rows, wherein such vehicle has alongitudinally extending main frame including an axle at one end withrightand lefthand wheels respectively at opposite ends of the axle, saidrightand l=eft-hand wheels 'bcing spaced apart so as to run betweenr'ows inwardly of each of the respective wheels and rows outwardly ofeach of the respective wheels, said harvesting means comprising:transverse rockshaft meanssupported on the end of the main frame and"adjacent the axle; lift arms projecting forwardly from the rockshaftmeans; a pair of forward cotton vharvesting units suspended on the liftarms forwardly of its axle for harvesting the rows of cotton plantsinwardly of and within the confines of the wheels and havingfore-and-aft extending passages for receiving the rows inboard of thewheels; transversely extending framework supported on the rear end ofthe main frame and projecting transversely toopposite sides of the framebeyond the transverse expanse of the wheels and including a pair of reartransverse rockshafts on opposite sides 1 of the frame; lift arms on thelatter rockshafts; a pair of rear cotton harvesting units supported onthe lift farms having fore-and-aft extending plant passages outboard ofthe wheels and disposed to harvest the rows of plants outwardly of therespective wheels; and linkage means interconnecting the rockshaft meanswith the rockshafts whereby the rockshafts will rock in response torocking of the rockshaft means; and means effecting rocking of therockshaft means.

13.1The invention defined in claim 12 in which the rockshaft meansincludes a pair of front axially alined transverse rockshafts rockablysupported independently of'one'another and on opposite sides of the mainframe and the linkage means includes a pair of linkages ex- 'te n din'gbetween the front and rear rockshafts on the same side of the frame andthe means effecting rocking of the rockshaft means is a pair of poweroperated units for selectively rocking the front rockshafts.

14. Cotton harvesting means for use on a vehicle in a field in whichcotton is planted in parallel rows, wherein such vehicle has alongitudinally extending main frame including an axle at one end withrightand left-hand wheels respectively at opposite ends of the axle,said right and left-hand wheels being coaxially spaced apart so as toembrace from opposite sides a plurality of rows, said harvesting meanscomprising: transverse rockshaft mean supported on the forward end ofthe main frame and adjacent the axle; lift arms projecting forwardlyfrom the rockshaft means; forward cotton harvesting units suspended onthe lift arms forwardly of the axle includingfore-a'nd-aft extendingplant passages inwardly of the'whe'cls' for receiving the rows of cottonplants within the confines of the wheels; transversely extendingframework supported on the rear end of the main frame and projectingtransversely to opposite sides'of the frame beyond the transverseexpanse of the Wheels and including a pair of transverse rockshafts;lift arms on the latter rockshafts; rear cotton harvesting unitssupported on the lift arms and having fore-and-aft extending plantpassages outboard of the wheels disposed to receive rows of plantsoutwardly of the wheels; and linkage means interconnecting the rockshaftmeans with each of the rockshafts verse rockshaft means supported on themain frame and adjacent the axle; lift arms projecting from therockshaft means; centrally disposed cotton harvesting units suspended onthe lift arms and having fore-and-aft extending plant passages receivingthe rows of cotton plants within the confines of the wheels;transversely extending framework supported on the main frame andprojecting transversely to opposite sides of the frame and including apair of transverse rockshafts; lift arms on the latter rockshafts; rearcotton harvesting units supported on the lift arms outboard of thewheels and disposed to harvest rows of plants outwardly of therespective traction wheels; and means effecting rocking of the rockshaftmeans and rockshaft.

16. An attachment for a cotton harvester having a longitudinallyextending main mobile frame including a transverse axle at its forwardend with rightand lefthand wheels respectively at opposite ends of theaxle and spaced apart so as to run between rows inwardly of andoutwardly of the wheels, and forward cotton harvesting units supportedon the frame forwardly of the axle and having fore-and-aft extendingpassages inboard of the wheels for receiving the rows of cotton plantsinward- -ly of and within the confines of the wheels, said attachmentcomprising: transversely extending framework adapted to be mounted onthe main frame rearwardly of the wheels and projecting transversely toopposite sides of the frame; and a pair of rear cotton harvesting unitssupported on the transversely extending framework outboard of the wheelsfor harvesting the rows of plants outwardly of the respective wheels,each of said rear harvesting units having a housing structure defining aforeand-aft extending passage for successively receiving the plants inthe respective rows as the harvesteradvanoes, and high capacityharvesting mechanism supported in the housing structure inwardly of thepassage to be disposed behind the respective wheels, and a low capacityharvesting mechanism supported in the housing structure outwardly of therespective passage.

17. An attachment for a cotton harvester having a longitudinallyextending main mobile frame including a transverse axle at its forwardend with rightand lefthand traction wheel means respectively at oppositeends of the axle and spaced apart so as to run between rows inwardly ofand outwardly of the wheel means, and forward cotton harvesting unitssupported on the frame forwardly of the axle for harvesting the rows ofcotton plants and having fore-and-aft extending plant passages receivingrows inwardly of and within the confines of the traction wheel means,said attachment comprising: transversely extending framework adapted tobe mounted on the main frame rearward-1y of the wheel means andprojecting transversely to opposite sides of the frame; and a pair ofrear cotton harvesting units supported on the transversely extendingframework for harvesting rows of plants and having fore-and-aftextending plant passages for receiving the rows outwardly of the wheelmeans.

'18. A cotton harvester adapted to moveovera field of cotton plantscomprising: a main mobile frame including a pair of transversely spacedsupport wheels at its forward end; transverse rockshaft means on themain frame; foreand-aft extending lift arms supported on the rockshaftmeans; a pair of cotton harvesting row'units supported on the lift armsforwardly of the wheels including housing means defining a pair offore-and-aft extending plant passages inwardly -of the wheels withportions of the housings outboard of the passages being in longitudinalalignment with the wheels; and a pair of cotton harvesting row unitssupported on the lift arms rearwardly of the wheels for harvesting therows of plants adjacent to and outboard of the wheels'including housingmeans defining fore-and-aft extending passages for receiving plantsoutboard of the wheels with portions of the latter housings being inlongitudinal alignment with the wheels.

19. A cotton harvester adapted to move over a field and means mountingframe.

. with the wheels. v 23. The invention defined .rockshaft means includesa transversely disposed roclrshaft' of row-planted cotton plantscomprising: amain mobile: Q frame having frontland rear'ends' andincluding a pair of main support wheels spaced apart transversely. t0 1normally be disposed on'oppositesides of apair, of rows;

transverserockshaft'means on the main frame; a pair o for each of therow unitswhich iseifcctive upon ,7 n. iii

rocking I to raise or lower therespective" row unit, and further ofcotton harvestingrow units extending forwardly of the front end of theframeand forwardly of the wheels having fore-and-aft plant receivingpassages inwardly or" the wheels with-portions of, the row unitsoutboard of the passages being in fbre-and-aft alignmentwith'the'l'wheels; a pair of cotton harvesting row units disposed V rearwardly'ofthe wheels and having plant receiving pas:

sages outboardlof the wheelswith portions of the, latter row unitsinboard of their respective passages being in,

fore-and-aft alignment with the wheels, and "meahssupporting the rowunits on the roclrshaft means adapted for raising and lowering the unitsin response to rotation of the rockshaft means.

' 20; A cotton harvester adapte d to move over afieldof row-plantedcotton plants comprising: a rnain jmobile,

frame "having" front and rear ends and including main support wheelsspaced apart transversely to normally be frame with frontjand rear wheelmeans, one of which characterized by a linkage connection between therockshafts for the harvesting units inboard and outboard each of thewheelswhereby'the units adjacent each of the wheels will be raised andlowered in unison. I

' 24. A harvester adapted to move over a field of parallel rows ofplantsicomprisingz' a main mobile frame includ- 7 'ing a pair ofsupportwheels spacedapart transversely;

a pair of harvesting' 'row units disposed forwardly and inwardly of thevwheelshaving plant receiving passages inwardly of the wheelswith'portions'of the row units in fore and-aft alignment with the,wheels; and a pair of harvesting row units'disposed,rearwar'dly andoutwardly '1 of the'wheels having plant receivingpassages outboard ofqthe Wheelssaid latter units having portions thereof n fo're-and-aftalignment with the wheels; and means mounting the row units on theframe.

1 25. A cotton harve'ster adapted :tomove over a field of row-plantedcotton plants comprising:- an elongated L includes apair of transverselyspaced apart wheels,

- disposed on opposite sides of a; plurality of adjacent rows;

a plurality of cotton harvesting row units extendingforwardlyhaving-structure defining fore-'and-aft extending plant passages of theframeland inwardly of the wheels with portions of the rowunits' outboardof the passages being in fore-and-aftalignment withthe wheels; atpair,of

cotton harvesting'mechanisms disposedrearwardly of the wheels forharvesting rows having structure defining 'fore-and aft extendingpassages outboard'of'the wheels, with portions of the latter row unitsinboard, of their respective passages being in fore-and-aft'alignmentwith. the wheels and means supporting the rowunits onthe;

frame. i s I 21 A cotton harvester adapted to move over a fieldofrow-planted "cotton plants comprising: a rnain mobile frame having frontand-rearends and including a pair of main supportwheels at itsfront endspaced'apart transversely; a pair of cotton harvesting row unitsextending -forwardly of the front end of the frame 'and forwardly of thewheels and having structure defining fore-and-aft saidffrarne furtherincluding projecting portions outboard ,of and on a fore-and-aft side ofthe sp'acedapart wheels,{inner harvesting mechanism supported on theframe having fore-an d-aft extending 'plant receiving 7' passagesinboard of the aforesaid wheels and on theoppositejfore-and-aft sideofth'e wheels; and outer harvesting mechanism supported on the"outwardly projecting portio'ns betweenthe V I I e andaft extending plantreceiving passages outboard of the rom and rearjwheels' and having foreaforesaid wheels. 7

' '26. Crop harvestingi'meansifor use. on ya vehicle in a field in whichcrops are planted in parallel rows, wherein 1 such vehicle has alongitudinally extending main mobile frame including an axle at one: endwith rights and lefthand wheels respectively at opposite endsof theaxle, said rightandleft-hand' wheels'f being coaxiallylspaced apart soas torun between rows inwardly of and rows outhaving, a high capacityharvesting mechanism inboard of a its'respectivepassage andacomparatively low capacity harvestingmechanism outboard ofjitsrespectivepassage; the harvesting units on the main 22; A cotton harvester adapted,to

move'over a field of row-plantedcotton plants comprising: a main mobileI frame having front and rear ends and including apair of support wheelsspaced apart transversely; rockshaft rneans on the main frame; a pair ofcotton harvesting-row units supportedon therockshaft means forwardly ofthe wheels and having fore-and-aftplant receiving: passages inwardly Vof the wheels and having portions of the row unitsbeing in fore-and-aftalignment with the Wheels; and a pair of cotton harvesting rowunitssupported' on 'therock shaft.

means rearwardly'of the wheels having .fore-and-aft plant" in claim 22in which the receiving passages outboard ofthe wheelsysaid latter row tunits having portions thereof in fore-and aftalignment" T. GRAHAM CRfwardly. of the respective wheels,said harvesting means comprising: cropharvesting units supported onthe frame forwardly of the 'axleand havingfore-and-aft extending plant passages inward ofthe wheels forreceivingthe rows of crops inwardly of and'iwithin the confines of thewheels, said unitshaving portions offset from the passages a'ndinfore-and-aft alignment with'the'v wheels; crop harvesting unitssupported .on the frame rearwardly of the axle and having fore-and-aftextending plantpas'sages' out- Ward of the vwheels'for receiving therows of plants outwardly' of the respective wheels, said latter unitshaving portions. offset frorn'the respective'passages and in foreand-aftalignment with'the wheels; transverse rockshaft;

I means mounted onthe frame lift arms fixed to the rockshaft means andconnected t'othe harvesting umts'where,

by thefront and rear harvesting unitswillbe raised and lowered inllIllSOIlr g References'Citediby'the Examiner 7 VE R, Primary Examiner.RUSSELL R. KINSEY, Examiner. ,1

1. A COTTON HARVESTER FOR USE IN A FIELD IN WHICH COTTONIS GROWN INPARALLEL ROWS COMPRISING: A MAIN FORE-ANDAFT EXTENDING FRAME INCLUDINGTRANSVERSE AXLE STRUCTURE; LATERALLY SPACED WHEELS CARRIED ON THE AXLESTRUCTURE SO AS TO EMBRACE A PAIR OF ROWS; A PAIR OF HARVESTING UNITSSUPPORTED ON THE FRAME FORWARDLY OF THE WHEELS AND HAVING FORE-AND-AFTEXTENDING PLANT PASSAGES FOR ACCOMMODATING THE ROWS OF PLATES BETWEENTHE WHEELS, EACH OF THE HARVESTING UNITS HAVING HARVESTING MECHANISMINBOARD AND OUTBOARD OF A RESPECTIVE ROW WITH THE OUTBOARD MECHANISMSBEING AT LEAST PARTIALLY IN DIRECT LEADING RELATION WITH THE RESPECTIVEWHEELS; AND A PAIR OF HARVESTING UNITS SUPPORTED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OFTHE FRAME REARWARDLY OF THE WHEELS AND HAVING FORE-AND-AFT EXTENDINGPLANT PASSAGES FOR ACCOMMODATING A ROW OF PLANTS OUTBOARD OF THERESPECTIVE WHEELS, EACH OF THE LATTER HARVESTING UNITS HAVING HARVESTINGMECHANISMS INBOARD AND OUTBOARD OF ITS PLANT PASSAGE WITH THE LATTERINBOARD HARVESTING MECHANISMS BEING AT LEAST PARTIALLY IN DIRECTTRAILING RELATION WITH THE WHEELS.